BBC WEATHER forecast “potentially damaging” winds of up to 80mph to strike the UK as Met Office warns of a “danger to life” with large waves, transport disruption and flooding likely.

The Met Office has warned of a “danger to life” as Storm Gareth batters Britain with “severe gales” travelling up to 80mph. The Met Office issued yellow rain and wind warnings across the UK due to large waves, flying debris power cuts and travel disruption. A yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland, in place until midday on Wednesday, reads: “Strong northwesterly winds are expected to develop later on Tuesday, leading to some disruption. It's likely that some coastal routes, seafronts and coastal communities are affected by spray and/or large waves. There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris. There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.

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“There is a small chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected. There is a small chance that some roads and bridges could close.

“There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

“There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads and properties.”

A yellow rain warning for north-west England and Yorkshire and Humber, lasting until midday on Tuesday, reads: “Heavy rain on Tuesday morning may cause some flooding and transport disruption. Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely.

“Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer. Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer.”

BBC weather host Matt Taylor said: “It’s going to turn even windier and also even wetter in the south-east later this morning, but wind and rain key features to the forecast today and over the next few days, some particularly strong winds, severe gales at times.

“But the next 36 hours we will see winds maybe top 80mph in one or two spots. Though certainly the chance of travel disruption and minor damage as well. But today stormy weather comes courtesy of Storm Gareth, named by the Irish Met service yesterday, the core of the storm is strongest of the winds wrapped around this curl of cloud here at the moment.

“Still a little bit away but even under the cloud we have got an active weather front with some torrential rain for some and gale force winds pushing their way eastwards.

“But it is into tonight across the northern half of the country closer to the centre of our storm we will see some of the strongest of the winds. If you are heading out though in the next few hours we could still see winds touch gal force if not a little bit more, especially across parts of England and Wales, not a great day to be going out on the bike to be honest.

“Lots of heavy rain too, seeing up to 50mm of rain fall in some spots of Scotland, north-west England overnight as well as north-west Wales.

“That rain is now persistent across northern England, western parts of Wales and within that little line of green an indication that we will see short bursts of torrential rain and particularly stormy winds push across England and Wales through the morning rush hour, through the Midlands and south-west England in the morning.

“But the end of the morning, lunchtime, that will be by the south-east corner and East Anglia. In its wake though we will see sunshine develop for many, a scattering of showers, some of those heavy and thundery, frequent into the afternoon, western Scotland, Northern Ireland, looking wintry over the hills.”

The BBC weather presenter continued: “But there will be a cold feel this afternoon, temperatures actually dropping through the day, 5C to 8C as we head towards the school pick-up and the evening rush hour. It’s by this stage the winds pick up again cross parts of central-southern Scotland, Northern Ireland could see winds top 80mph around some hills and coast.

“That will certainly cause some minor damage, and through the night winds pick up again through England and Wales, 50mph, 60mph gusts, which could lead to some problems into tomorrow morning with winds into tomorrow morning’s rush hour strongest across parts of north-east Scotland.

“Temperatures tonight around 7C or 8C, that’s how we start tomorrow morning’s rush hour, story of sunshine and showers effectively through the day.

“Some seeing more of one than the other, but the winds will be partially strong during the morning, easing a little bit into the afternoon, staying blustery and still a rather cool feel as well.

“But it has to be said, the next 36 hours we will see some potentially damaging winds across the country. This morning England and Wales, tonight especially for southern Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern parts of England.”